Latest rumor has Browns looking at trading for RB Ben Tate

Rumors fly at warp speed during the first week of free agency in the NFL.

The latest rumor, and one the Browns are not commenting on, has the Browns talking to Houston about a trade for running back Ben Tate. Tate rushed for 942 yards and four touchdowns for the Texans last year while backing up Arian Foster. He rushed for 112 yards on 15 carries last season when the Texans whipped the Browns, 30-12.

Peyton Hillis' the Browns leading rusher in 2010 and 2011, visited the Chiefs on Wednesday. The Browns will have a hole in their backfield if Hillis is not re-signed.

A rumor that was hot Tuesday night concerning the Browns negotiating with quarterback Matt Flynn has been iced by league sources. John Clayton of ESPN and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported the Browns and Dolphins were negotiating with Flynn and preparing contract proposals, but the source said Wednesday the Browns are not going after Flynn.

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Flynn, a backup quarterback in Green Bay for four years, is scheduled to visit Seattle Thursday night.

Not going after Flynn is consistent with what Browns General Manager Tom Heckert reiterated last week when he said it is unlikely the Browns would pursue a big-name free agent quarterback. Flynn qualifies, even though he started only two games, because he threw six touchdown passes and passed for 480 yards against the Lions in the final game of 2011.

Likewise, reports last week claiming the Browns offered three first-round draft picks and a second-round pick to St. Louis for the second pick are difficult to believe because that is what the Rams are getting from the Redskins. The Browns have the fourth pick in the draft and the Redskins were picking sixth before the trade.

The difference between picking sixth and picking fourth for the Rams could mean missing out on Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon. The Browns are not commenting on what they actually offered the Rams for the valuable pick.

With Flynn out of the picture - at least for now - it is looking more and more like the Browns will target Ryan Tannehill or Brandon Weeden in the draft if they want a quarterback to challenge Colt McCoy in spring practices and training camp.